Michael Sam, the first openly gay player in the NFL, rightfully received the 2014 Arthur Ashe Courage Award last night at the ESPY's in Los Angeles, and his acceptance speech was nothing short of inspiring.

Sam fought back tears on-stage, discussing how the late American tennis player and civil rights activist inspired his journey as an athlete and LGBT advocate. "The way I see my responsibility at this moment in history is to stand up for everybody out there who wants nothing more than to be themselves openly," Sam said.

He spoke about meeting with a young gay woman who had been considering suicide over coming out to her family. "When we spoke, she told me that she would never consider hurting herself again, and that somehow my example would help her," he said, breaking down in tears. Watch the powerful speech above.